Adjustable hinged bobbin arm



Feb. 9, 1965 E. VOSSEN ADJUSTABLE HINGED BOBBIN ARM 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 1, 1961 INVENTOR.

EDWARD VOSSE/V 3f I W 5 ATTORNEY Feb. 9, 1965 E. VOSSEN 3,168,996

ADJUSTABLE HINGED BOBBIN ARM Filed Dec. 1, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG 3 INVENTOR. EDWARD VGSSE/V Jaw? w ATTORNEY Feb. 9, 1965 E. VOSSEN 3,168,996

ADJUSTABLE HINGED BOBBIN ARM Filed Dec. 1. 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. EDWARD I/OSSEW 'ATTORNEY iffi States 3,163,996 ADJUSTABLE HHNGEE B-GBBEN ARM Edward Vossen, Malverne, NFL, assignor to Stop-Motion Devices Corp, Plainview, NY. Filed Dec. l, 1961, Ser. No. 156,547 1 Claim. (Qi. 242-131) This invention relates generally to overhead bobbin tables and racks for textile machinery, and, particularly, to bobbin arms forming parts of such tables and racks.

The general object of the invention is to provide a novel, simple, and reliable hinged bobbin arm for an overhead bobbin table, such as that usually employed in connection with a circular knitting machine, the arm being angularly adjustable in a vertical plane and lockable in either a normal or a special raised operating position or in a lowered nonoperating positionthe special raised position being appropriate for thread and bobbin adjustments while the associated textile machine is operating, and the lowered position being appropriate for such adjustments when the machine is shut down.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a bobbin arm which is a cantilever comprising two hingedly connected sections which may be locked in specific angular relationships, with one section adapted to be rigidly attached to the main frame of a bobbin table or rack, and with the other section adapted to support one or more conical bobbins selectively positioned.

The invention particularly contemplates a bobbin arm as described in the foregoing paragraph as a radial bobbin .holder for an overhead bobbin table of a circular knitting machine. It will be apparent, however, that the bobbin arm of the present invention has utility in connection with other types of bobbin tables and racks associated with a variety of textile machines; but the utility of the present arm is especially valuable where the bobbin table or rack is of the overhead type because of the hinged character and angular adjustability of the arm.

.. Another object of the invention is to provide a cantilever bobbin arm comprising two'hingedly connected sections which may be locked in selected angular relationships .with one section adaptedto be rigidly attached to the mainframe of a bobbin table or rack, and with the other section being rigid and elongated, and preferably straight, and having one or more holders for conical bobbins removably mounted thereon and lockable at any of a variety ,of positions intermediate the endsoi' such'section; and another feature of this object is that each holder for a conical bobbin be adaptedto engage .the inside of the usual hollow truncated paperboard cone with centrifugal .pressure'to resist forces tending bobbin.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bobbin arm which is a cantilever comprising twohingedly connected sections which may be locked in selected angular relationships with one section adapted to be rigidly attached to the main frame of a bobbin table or rack, and the other section being vertically adjustable and from its to raise or to rotate the outer end nearly/to itsconnectionwith the first-named section and elongated rigid rod of uniform cross-section, ;and ha ving removablymounted on, and locked to,xthe ro'd at one: or more selected positions a 'cleviceforcholding' a conical-bobbin, such device being itself of two "sections hingedly connected together and lockable in 'selectedangu glar' relationships with one of the last-named sections adaptedto be rigidly attached to the rod and with the other-of;the last-named sections adaptedto engage the inside of-the 'usualhollow truncated paperboard cone hereof, is (that thelvertica llyi adjustable section ofthe i the absence of the feature last above mentioned, present the bobbins in a mechanically awkward angular position relative to the yarn guides. This would prevent a smooth and uninterrupted flow of yarn from the bobbins. However, in the present invention the yarn guides immediately associated with the bobbins are themselves mounted on the bobbin arm and consequently they are adapted to move integrally with said arm. It therefore becomes immaterial whether the bobbin arm is displaced to a minor or major extent from its normal operating position. In any position of the bobbin arm the yarn guides will remain fixed relative thereto and the yarn will feed smoothly from the bobbins through the yarn guides and then through the entire knitting machine system.

A special feature of the invention incorporated in the object described immediately above is the angular adjustability of the bobbin-holding device independently of the angular adjustability of the bobbin arm.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following description and the claim, and from the drawing.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view, partly broken and erased to condense the figure, and partly in phantom and in section, shoWingone embodiment of the bobbin arm of the invention locked in normal operating position and attached to the main frame of a bobbin table suitable for a circular knitting machine, and a microswitch also attached to the main frame and adapted to be actuated by the bobbin arm when in its extreme nonoperating position for controlling a stop-motion device connected with the knitting machine.

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIGURE 1 by itself, with all parts thereof erased except .those to the right of the righthand break of the latter that figure; but, herein, certain parts of the arm seen to the left in FIGURE 1 are omitted.

that figure locked in its extreme nonoperating position, and, as well, all elements to the right of the righthand break of that figure, and also showing the arm actuating the above-mentioned microswitch; but, herein, certain parts of the arm seen to the left in FIGURE 1 are omitted.

FiGURE 6 is a partly erased top plan view, on reduced scale, of slightly more than a single quadrant of a usual ring-like bobbin arm mount of the main frame of a bobbin table for a circuiar knitting machine, showing, in part, two of the embodiments, as well as two of the corresponding microswitches, of FIGURE I mounted thereon.

Radial centerlines indicating the proper positions of others of these embodiments, and also, as of each of the embodiments appearing in part, two bibbins (in phantom), are shown in this figure. In FIGURE 6, due only to the angular interval chosen for the bobbin arms, the bobbins of any arm are assumed to be staggered with respect to the bobbins of adjacent arms, as indicated. The number of bobbins carried by the arm of the present invention is a matter of convenience.

FIGURE 7 is a top plan View of a modification of the embodiment of FIGURE 1, the modification relating solely to that part of the cmbodiment to the right of the righthand break of the latter figure, and also shows part of the main frame of a bobbin table suitable for a circular knitting machine. The main frame is partly in section.

- FIGURE 8 is a side elevational view of the modification of FIGURE 7 and corresponds to FIGURE 1, and

also shows part of the main frame of FIGURE 7.

In FIGURES 7 and 8 a microswitch, as Well as means whereby the bobbin arm may actuate the switch, as illustratedin FIGURE 1, have been omitted as superfluous.

The embodiment of the present bobbin arm illustrated in FIGURES 1 6 and its modification shown in part in FIGURES 7 and 8 are particularly suited for overhead or umbrella-type bobbin tables of circular knitting machines, and it is assumed in the following detailed description that the bobbin arm is here used in that connection.

Preferably, the entire bobbin arm is made of steel, and, while the following specific structures and angular dispositions cited are not in limitation of the invention, the preferred structure of the arm is that indicated in FIGURES 16 and the'preferred normal angular operating position is that according to and best illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 6, a special angular operating position (see below) is approximately that indicated in FIGURE 4, and the extreme nonoperating angular position is approximately that indicated in FIGURE 5.

With reference to the embodiment of FIGURES 16 and to the modification of FIGURES 7 and 8, the present bobbin arm is a centilever comprising two hingedly connested sections which may be locked in specific angular is approximately that indicated in FIGURE 4, and the relationships. One section, designated generally 10 (arrow) in FIGURES 1-6 and 11 (arrow) in FIGURES 7 and 8, is adapted to be rigidly attached either directly or indirectly to the usual ring-like radical bobbin arm but of the main frame of the bobbin table. In FIGURES 1, 4, and 6 one type of hub is shown in part and is designated 12; in FIGURES 7 and 8 another type of hub is shown in part and is indexed 13. The other section of the bobbin arm (alike in both the preferred embodiment and its modification) is designated, in its entirety, I4

(arrow), and is adapted to pivot in a vertical plane as a rigid entity, about the center of a pin 15 which is passed through both sections of the bobbin arm. This other, and

obviously outer, section 14 of the arm is alone adapted to support bobbins (see below).

The hub 12 is suitable for a bobbin table of the overhead or umbrella type intended to support a single tier of radially distributed bobbins, while the hub 13 is particularly suitable for a table intended to support a plurality of tiers of radially distributed bobbins.

The designs of sections and 11 of the present bobbin arm differ only in the structure of means whereby these sections may be rigidly attached to the main frame (i.e.

surface which in assembly is contiguous to the rim of hub 13; inserted into the bore is a portion of a rod 18, the top bores in hub 12 as well as the prospective distribution or" the bobbin arms hereof, only two of which are shown, and these two only in part.

Referring to FIGURES 7 and 8, the section 11 of the bobbin arm is a block having near one end a bore 23 whereby the block may be mounted on an upright 16 of hub 13. Set screws are provided in the block for locking it upon upright 16; and, shown only in FIGURE 8, a collar 25, removably pinned as at 26 to upright 16, may be provided to prevent slipping of the block on the upright. Presumably a hub structure such as 13 will have a vertically spaced plurality of bobbin arms mounted on each of its uprights to,

The present invention is by no means limited to bobbin arm structures which are horizontally disposed in normal operating position, for, obviously, the bobbin arm hereof could be, if desired, modified will within the scope of the invention so as to extend outwardly from the hub of the table at a slant; nor is the present bobbin arm required to present, in normal operatnig position, a basically straight elongated structure. But, as a convenience herein hub of the associated table is centrally slotted at 27 .in-

wardly from the outer end of the block and vertically through the block from top to bottom thereof. freely within the slot at 27 is a'plate 28, forming the innermost element of section 14 of thebobbin arm. The pin 15, mentioned above,passes through the block and plate and hingedly connects them together whereby the section 14 may swing in a vertical plane. The plate 28 is about twice as long as its height, and slightly more than half the element extends outwardly beyond the block (see, particularly, FIGURES 1,2, 4, 5, 7, and 8). In the structures shown the block is of equal height with the plate. Referring specially to FIGURES 1 and 8, which are'side elevational views of the bobbin armin normal operating position, it will be seen that the inner end portion of a rod 29 is attached to the upper outer corner of plate 28 by means of screws as. Preferably the end portion of the rod 29 is slotted to receive the corner of plate 28; and, also, the rod 29 is preferably straight and of circular and uniform cross-section, and of sutficient caliber to maintain its straightness as a cantilever even if of considerably length and loaded with considerable weight. In FIGURE 1 the rod 29 is shown to be twice broken for the purpose of condensing the figure; also see FIGURE 6. The length of rod29 is governed by the number of individual bobbin holders to be mounted thereon. See below. 1

It will benoted in FIGURES 1 and 8 that red 29 is' Fitted is lowered enough to permit of certain adjustments relating to the bobbins carried thereon and their threads; its position in FIGURE 5 is a nonoperating position wherein the rod is sufiiciently lowered to permit of general bobbin replacements and such other work as may be called for. When section 14 of the bobbin armthat is to say, rod 29is positionedvas indicated in FIGURE 4, a stop-motion device applied to the knitting machine is automatically actuated by the positioning of section 14; and this is a special feature of the invention (see below).

The outermost surfaces of the block of either section or 11 on either side of the slot at 27 are, instead of being vertical, slanted slightly to the rear beginning at the top and abruptly protrude near the bottom to form the detents 31. A hairpin-bent strip of metal 32 partly embnaces plate 28 and both end portions of strip 32 are pivotally mounted to the plate at 33. An expansion spring 34 engaging a pin 35 fixed on the lower portion of strip 32 near its bend and another pin 36 fixed to the bottom of the block constantly urges the strip 32 against the outer surfaces of the block. The edges of both legs of strip 32 facing the block are each provided with two dogs 37 and 38. When section 14 of the bobbin arm is moved into horizontal position, as in FIGURE 1, the lowermost pair of dogs 37 engage the block above detents 31, and thereby lock section 14 in such position. When section 14- is moved into the position indicated in FIGURE 4 the uppermost pair of dogs 38 engage the block above detents 31, and thereby lock the section in that position. When section 14 is lowered into the position indicated in FIGURE 5 the beveled lower innermost edge 39 of plate 28 engages the innermost surface of the slot 27 of the block and prevents section 14 from descending further. 7

It will be understood that, while only one detent 31, one dog 37, and one dog 38 appears inthe drawing, there are two of each, one on either side of the bobbin arm. Elevational views corresponding to FIGURES l, 4, 5, and 8, but showing the other side of the bobbin arm, would simply be mirror-images of these figures.

Bobbins carried by the bobbin arm of the present invention are, in fact actually positioned over hinged section 14 of the arm, i.e., the rod 29. This is only clearly illustnated in FIGURE 1, wherein ,two types of individual bobbin holders are illustrated.

In FIGURE 1 that type of individual bobbin holder nearest the inner end of rod 29 is generally indexed 39 (arrow), and that type near the outer end of the rod is generally indexed 4t (arrow). Both types include parts adapted to be mounted and locked upon the rod at selected stations thereon. Holder 39 is wholly shown in FIGURE 1the only figure in which the holders are illustrated but those parts of holder so which are duplicates of parts of the other holder are omitted.

Holder 39 comprises a casting 41 (arrow), preferably of aluminum, which is basically a circular plate 42 (nowhere shown in plan) on which a bobbin may rest, with a lug 43 protruding from the bottom center thereof, the lug being bored to fit freely on rod 29. A set screw 44 is provided for locking the holder 39 at a chosen station. Rising from and rigidly attached to the plate 42 is a centered rod 45. Secured to the rod is a collar 46 which 7 is also a bracket for rigidly holding three spring steel strips 47 in equilateral triangular arrangement. The lower and 'upper extremities of the strips 47 are free; the upper portions, of the strip-s above the collar 46, arestraight and parallel to rod 45;, but the lower portions of the strips slant outward from rod 45 and serve, together, as resilient and frictional means for engaging the inner surface of .a conical bobbin with slight centrifugal force (the strips are circumferentially spaced at 120) to provide a grip to prevent free removal or rotation of the bobbin.

It is desired that a stop-motion device for the knitting or other textile machine with which the present bobbin arm is associated be controlled by the positionof the arm. In the embodiment and modification thereof illustrated herein it is assumed that a signalis desired to be transmitted to the stop-motion device (not shown, and distinct from the present invention). Accordingly a microswitch 48, suitably mounted on a bracket 49 rigidly secured to the hub of the related bobbing table or rack near each of the present bobbin arms, is provided, the microswitch being normally open. The microswitch, its bracket, and means on the bobbin arm for actuating the switch, are shown only with respect to hub 12 and therefore appear only in FIGURES 1-6. Fixed on the outer end portion of plate 2.8 by screws Sti is a finger 51. When the section 14 of the bobbin arm is at its lowermost angular positionits one nonoperating positionthe free end portion 52 of finger 51 actuates micr-oswitch 48, effects transmission of a signal to a suit-able stop-motion device, and discontinuance of operation of the associated knitting or other textile machine.

In illustrating the present invention the normal operating position of the bobbin arm is shown as horizontal; but it has been suggested that horizontality of the arm under normal operating conditions is not a limitation of the invention. If the normal operating position of the present arm were at a slant outwardly and downwardly it is obvious that the bobbins carried on the arm would be stepped with respect to each other; and, as the present arm may be and is particularly intended to be radially disposed as a part of an overhead bobbin table of a circular knitting machine, the assembly of bobbins carried by a plurality of such arms would constitute a series of concentric circles of bobbins with the circles in stepped relationship to each other. In short, the bobbin table as an entity with its bobbins would constitute a canopyor umbrella-like structure. If the arms were slanted outwardly and downwardly, the individual bobbin holders, if of the type represented by holder 39, would, of course, cause the axes of the bobbins to slant upwardly and outwardly away from the vertical axis of the table-a condition, which, if extreme, would be undesirable for the more or less vertical feeding of thread. Therefore, where the bobbin arm, in normal operating position, slants, the individual bobbin holders are preferably of the type of holder to, the axis of which isvariable with respect to the longitudinal axis of the arm. In short, for several reasons having to do with the thread-feed pattern of the table or rack, the holder id is perhaps generally preferable.

As has above been indicated, the present invention provides a plurality of yarn guides 55' (usually porcelain eyes) supported on brackets 56 which themselves are adjustably secured to the bobbin arms. The yarn guide supporting brackets 56 may also be adjustable in order to facilitate accurate positioning and orienting of the yarn guides relative to the individual bobbins to which they are related. It will thus be seen that the yarn guides will remain fixed in position relative to the bobbins irrespective of the angular position of the bobbin arms.

Modern circular knitting machines are conventionally built with a considerable number of yarn feeds-for example, tables adapted to carry twenty-four, forty-eight,

sixty-four, or other total numbers of bobbins. It is feasible as well as a practice to-provide support for a large number of bobbins by arranging the bobbin arms in tiers,

' and the leading end of the yarn of a particular bobbin on one tier may be tied to the trailing end of the yarn of another bobbin on another tier, so that, in effect, the tied pair of bobbins constitute a bobbin of twice normal size. This, of course, permits, normally, a halving of down time for the related machine.

A circular knitting machine is usually built fairly high; and its bobbin table may be six feet in height, or even higher. one another to conserve floor space and to avoid a considerable amount of walking onthe part of the knitter. The bobbin tables may accordingly be expected to be so close together as to leave the knitter little working room for the replacement of cones of yarn. When the yarn The machines are customarily placed close to .of the bobbins are eirhausted, new full bobbins must of in the substitution.

On large machines where the bobbin table is adapted to carry a relatively great number of cones of yarn, the bobbins are arranged in rows or tiers or both, so that when the knitter is obliged to replace inner cones he is forced to bend quite uncomfortably as well as dangerously (for he may easily fall off his ladder by reason of imbalance) to reach as far as the holders of inner cones.

These inconveniences are eliminated by the present invention. From the floor, as a rule, the knitter making a replacement on a bobbin table equipped with the present hinged bobbin arm, may reach up and adjust the arm so that it swings down into easy reach.

Many machines are of the so-called stationary-top style. The present invention enables the knitter to make replacements without stopping the machines.

Obviously, in any case in which the present invention is employed, the machines down-time associated with bobbin changing is greatly reduced, in consequence the use of the invention plainly may make a material contribution to. the machines productivity.

What is claimed is:

'A bobbin arm, comprising a support adapted to be mounted on a knitting machine bobbin table, an elon? gated arm pivotally connected at one end to said support for angular movement in a vertical plane, a multiposition latch connected between said support and said arm for locking said arm in selected angularipositions in said vertical plane, a plurality of bobbins mounted in spaced relation on said arm, said bobbins being adjustably :rovable along said arm relative to each other, an inverted L-shaped bracket mounted on said arm for integral movement therewith, and a plurality of yarn guides being adjustably mounted on the horizontal component of said inverted L-shaped bracket for cooperation with the bobbins on the arm.

fitted in the his of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS 1,306,256 Holt et al. June 10, 1919 1,728,417 Lewis Sept. 17, 1929 1,984,571 Epps Dec. 18, 1934 2,571,523 Bennett Oct. 16, 1951 2,572,854- Guion Oct. 30,1951 2,770,117 Mishconet a1 Nov. 13, 1956 

